Mizu: Yahoo! Another chapter done! Plus, I'm not tired! Yay for semi-sleeping in. Meaning I went to be later than normal but managed to sleep passed my normal time to wake up by an hour. Woot! Disclaimer: I don't own -Man. If I did, Link would still be awesome (really starting to like him) and Leverrier would be killed by Tyki.
Thanks to Kaido1412 and tentsubasa for pointing out that I've basically been calling Komui "big sister" this entire time. To Komui I'm sorry. To you guys, I give the pathetic excuse of that I'm American, though I know that has nothing to do with it. I apologize for my horrid spelling. Now, onto the chapter!
Chapter 13- Protecting Tears…
"Are you certain!" Komui shouted, startling the two scientists who came in.
"Positive," Lavi nodded, "There's no doubt in my mind about this."
Komui just collapsed into his chair and stared blankly at the wall, "Wh-Why…"
"I think that it's because we did so much today," Lavi sighed, running his hand through his hair, "After all, Allen did just wake up yesterday so doing so much so soon probably put a bunch of strain on his body."
"That would make sense…" Komui sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I-I'll keep him off of missions for a bit."
"You'll do no such thing," Leverrier's voice sounded from the doorway.
"Leverrier," Komui muttered as Lavi glared at the man who walked into the office.
"You and I had a deal," Leverrier snickered, "I let you grant all of Walker's wishes and you have him do anything I want him to do. And right now, I want him out in the field setting up gates."
"But he's in no condition to go out yet!" Komui protested, "I did not agree to send him out only to bring him back in a casket!"
"He's going to die either way," Leverrier smirked, "And from what bookman jr. here told you, it sounds like that fate isn't that far off."
"Bastard," Lavi growled.
"I suggest you pick out which exorcist is going to accompany him and send them off to the first set of coordinates by morning, Komui," Leverrier said with a sneer, walking out of the office with an arrogant air.
"Damn him," Lavi snarled, turning back to Komui, "I'll go with Allen. He said that he didn't want to go on these types of missions without me or Lenalee. I'll go with him first then you can send Lenalee to meet up with him later."
"R-Right," Komui whimpered as Johnny and Reever rushed to the desk.
"H-He's insane," Reever stuttered.
"H-He's going to kill Allen…" Johnny stated, tears in his eyes, "We just got him back too…"
"Lavi," Komui said, standing up, "Take Jeniya and Ryan with you. They need experience and…"
"I know, Komui," Lavi said, sad smile slowly appearing on his face, "I know…"
Five Months Later…
"What do you mean I've got to go to Siberia!" Allen yelled into the phone, "I just got finished in Kenya! How on this bloody planet am I supposed to make it to Siberia before the end of the week? I've never been anywhere close to it!"
"Sorry Allen," Reever sighed through the phone, "Leverrier wants you to place one last gate before coming back for a rest."
"This is total bullshit!" Allen cursed, slamming the phone down on the receiver, "That blasted man is insane!"
Allen stomped over to where his group was seated, fidgeting in the lobby of their hotel. His killer aura was clearly evident as he plopped down on a couch between Lavi and Lenalee. Lavi slowly patted the frustrated teen on his head, hoping to defuse the situation.
"H-Hey no worries, Allen!" Lavi stuttered, "We could always stop by the Asian Branch and you can have another rematch with Fou!"
"Yeah, that sounds like fun~!" Lenalee beamed.
"You two don't remember what happened, do you?" Allen smirked, glaring at the Crow sitting opposite of him.
'Of course we do,' Lavi thought to himself, 'After fighting for a while with your left arm tied behind your back, you untied it and completely flatten her. To say that Bak was shocked is an understatement.'
"Okay!" Jeniya beamed, rushing into the room with her brother, "We're ready to go!"
"Great!" Allen chuckled, killing aura finally dispersed, "We've got to drop Lenalee off at the train station then we're off to Siberia."
"Siberia!" Ryan snapped, "Why the heck are we going there?"
"Because Central likes making our lives hell," Allen sighed, motioning for everyone to follow him out the door.
Lenalee stared at Allen as they walked down the street sadly. He was starting to walk with a limp and every now and then had severe coughing fits. Every time this happened, Lenalee and Lavi had to fight not to cry. Even if he tried to hide it, it was clear to see. It wouldn't be long till was gone. Lenalee looked over at Lavi who was unconsciously wiping his single eye for tears. They swore that they wouldn't cry in front of him. No matter how much they wanted to.
"Here we are Lenalee," Allen announced, coming to a stop outside of the train station, "It's too bad that you've got another mission to go to. See you when you get back to headquarters."
"Yeah…Allen?" Lenalee said, gently grabbing the sleeve of his new uniform.
"Yes?" Allen smiled, the fake one that he still used on everyone.
"Take care of yourself. You still aren't totally healed," Lenalee stated, a sad smile on her own lips.
Allen's mask of happiness faltered to let a genuine smile shine through, "Thanks Lenalee. I will."
"You there! Raise that banner a little higher!" Komui ordered as entire science section, a few choice finders, and all exorcists back at the moment prepared for the arrival of the long missing teen.
"Is Jerry ready for the feast?" Reever asked a random scientist.
"Yes!" the answer came from several others.
"They're coming!" Johnny shouted out happily, rushing to his spot next to Komui.
"Stop bugging me, Lavi!" Allen's irritated voice sounded from just inside of the ark, "All I want to do is eat and go to bed when we get-!"
"Welcome home!" the order erupted, everyone smiling with a few tears in their eyes the second the group walked through the ark.
"-home," Allen finished, smiling warmly at the sight in front of them, "It's good to be home."
"Allen~!" Johnny beamed, jumping up and down, "How'd your new uniform fit ya?"
"Great Johnny!" Allen beamed, walking up to Komui with a thick folder, "Here's our mission report."
"Well done Allen," Komui said softly, gently ruffling the teen's white hair.
"So…" Allen started to say, biting his lip and looking up at the Chinese man with big, pleading, silver eyes.
"S-So?" Komui stuttered.
"Am I finally finished setting up gates? Does Central no longer need me to do that?" Allen said, a pleading tone escaping him.
"Yes," Komui nodded, smiling as he watched Allen's eyes light up as that burden was finally lifted from him.
"Thank goodness," Ryan whined, "I was getting tired of following these idiots around all the time."
"Says the boy who was tricked into going in a brothel because a woman promised him a sweet little treat if he helped her out with something," Allen practically growled.
"Gotta admit, I never saw Allen so frantic while we tried to find you," Lavi laughed, messing up the young boy's hair, "I think he went all OPD!"
"OPD?" everyone questioned.
"Overprotective daddy of course!" Lavi exclaimed, instantly covering his mouth and nervously shot Allen a glance.
The white-haired male just held his head down as his shoulders slowly slumped. Lavi cursed himself and rushed to his side.
"You alright, Allen?" Lavi asked, gently putting his hand on the other's shoulder, "I'm sorry, dude. It just kinda slipped out, you know?"
"I know, Lavi," Allen whimpered, breaking through the enormous crowd.
As soon as no one could see that blatant head of hair, all eyes settled upon Lavi.
"Well," Lavi sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I found out why his wish to visit Mana's grave was so cold while we were out and about."
"And?" Komui questioned.
"Allen's really starting to question whether or not Mana loved him as a son," Lavi stated sadly, "He's worried that he's truly really never had a father. So now, at least for a little bit, the word "father" is taboo…"
"Lavi?" Ryan sounded from next to him, "Allen does know that I'm sorry for worrying him right?"
"Huh?" Lavi gaped at the young child.
"I still feel bad for worrying him," Ryan admitted, looking at the ground, "I can't get that night out of my head. I remember the head lady there trying to get me to become their slave or something then hearing Allen yelling out my name. The next thing I knew, the door was kicked open and Allen was standing in the doorway, completely pissed off. One of the ladies was about to yell at him when they recognized him as Cross's kid and ran out of their so fast. Then Allen was on his knees in front of me, scolding me for being so stupid. I saw Jeniya clinging to his jacket, relieved that you guys found me…"
Lavi just smiled when Ryan looked up at him with sort of a confused face, "Then he hugged me. He pulled me into a really tight hug and started saying "Thank goodness" and "I was so worried" over and over again into my shoulder. I couldn't help it then. I was so happy that you guys had found me that I decided to just go with it and let my tears out. But after that, Allen seemed a little more snappish with me. Was what I did wrong?"
"Of course not, kid," Lavi chuckled, ruffling his hair again, "As I said, Allen's been in OPD mode for a while. He was really afraid that night of what might have happened to you. I think it awoke some instinct in him or something. And he's snappish because he's still afraid. Though, this time it's more of what he's feeling rather than what you've done."
"Then I wonder if I should tell him the good news," Johnny whispered.
"Good news?" Komui asked.
"Yeah. I found something helpful," Johnny smiled, whispering the secret to Lavi.
Two minutes later in the cafeteria…
"Allen!" Lavi and Johnny shouted, practically pouncing on the feasting teen.
"What!" Allen gasped, flinching when they clung to his shoulders.
"You'll never guess what Johnny found out for ya!" Lavi exclaimed, tears in his eyes.
"? What is it, Johnny?" Allen sighed, slowly eating his soup and trying to figure out why he could barely stomach soup anymore.
"I found out who your biological parents are!" Johnny blurted out.
Allen's face was priceless as he spat out his soup across his table and hitting Link, who sat across from him, with it in the face. His eyes were wide as he slowly turned to face the grinning scientist.
"F-For real?" Allen gaped, trying to keep his voice from breaking.
"Yep!" Johnny beamed.
"That's…that's," Allen whimpered, tears welling up in his eyes as he exploded out of his seat and tackling the scientist with a hug, "that's amazing Johnny!"
"See! I told you he'd love you for this!" Lavi laughed as he watched his friend's shoulders shake slightly.
"C-Can I go see them some time soon?" Allen asked, slowly releasing the stunned scientist.
"Of course," Johnny smiled, "Komui said that you and a few other exorcists or finders could go visit them sometime next week."
"That's so great," Allen said, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Speaking of Komui, I need to go talk to him about where that old panda is," Lavi snickered, patting Allen on his head, "Go get some rest, mister."
"R-Right!" Allen nodded happily, quickly finishing his meal and racing off to his room, dragging Link with him.
"Hey Komui," Lavi sighed, flopping down on the couch.
"You know, I think I should have just hired you as my messenger," Komui chuckled, "You do it anyways."
"Haha, funny," Lavi chuckled weakly.
"So…" Komui sighed, "Did Allen have any more attacks while you guys were out on your mission?"
"Just two. One right after he set up the first gate and then another after he beat Fou," Lavi stated, scratching his head, "From what I've seen, these attacks only happen after one of his wishes because they put a new stress on his body. But other than that, I can't make sense of them."
"This is just too weird," Komui shuddered, "So what would you say the status of his life would be?"
"He doesn't seem to be as far along as the Head Nurse predicted he would be at five months but he is starting to show signs that his life is running out," Lavi whimpered, rubbing his eye for tears.
"M-maybe h-he'll live to his next birthday after all," Komui tried to smile.
"M-Maybe so," Lavi nodded, before whimpering, "or maybe not…"
They both remained silent for a long time. Neither wanted to admit that the latter of the two choices was the most possible. There was truly no way that Allen would see his next birthday…
"S-So have you found anyway to slow down this?" Lavi asked, extremely hopeful though doubtful.
"Well, I do have a theory but I'm afraid to test it out," Komui admitted, "It'll either slow it down or do nothing but piss him off."
Lavi let out a small laugh, "Well, if those are our only two outcomes, then let's try it."
Allen looked up from his book to look at his window as thunder crashed yet again. Sighing, Allen really wished that the sun would come out. It had been raining for at least four days now and he wasn't allowed to leave his room unless it was to go to the bathroom. Apparently that was because Link was constantly at a conference with someone, most likely Leverrier, about their mission. Lavi or Toma would bring him his meals and Link took his chair out of his room so he couldn't even do his favorite form of training. Stretching in his bed a bit, Allen groaned was a blinding flash of lightning shone through his window.
"I really need to consider getting curtains," Allen sighed.
He was really starting to hate free time. Why had he ever wished for it? Now that he had it, there was nothing to do but stare at the candles that remained lit. Allen sadly smiled at them. He had noticed that after a wish was granted, one of the candles blew out. It was sort of like Kanda's lotus in that manner he supposed. He just hoped that that didn't mean when the final candle's flame went out that his life went with it.
"I kind of wish that Komui would give me that wish log back so I can add a few more wishes," Allen thought aloud, "I've got a few new ones."
Rolling onto his stomach, Allen stared as rain pounded against his window. Though he really wished he hadn't. Whenever he saw rain now, it reminded him of all the tears that were going to come when his time was finally up. He knew for sure that most of the scientists would cry along with a hysterical Miranda and Krory. So would Timothy and Jeniya and Ryan. Jeniya would cry the most out of everyone. Lavi would join in from time to time, whenever he was away from Bookman and could drown himself in the sorrow that he shouldn't have. Komui would probably blame himself for everything and cry all by himself somewhere.
"He'll probably go cry with Jerry, actually," Allen forced himself to chuckle with the image of the two of them crying hysterically together.
Heck, he bet even Bookman and Kanda would shed at least one tear. And Link? Possibly. The cursed teen had to admit that the Crow had grown on him. He really wasn't that bad once you got to know him. Plus, he really did try to minimize the amount of trouble Allen got in. But he had orders that he had to follow and Allen couldn't be upset at him for that.
Then there was Lenalee. Allen could feel his own tears welling up in his eyes. She probably the one person out of everyone else that he wanted to make cry the least. She meant to much to him and he hated the thought of hurting her. It was inevitable though. He was going to die and she would cry. She'd probably go cling to everyone at least once as they cremated his body. Allen shuddered. He really didn't like the fact that the order didn't bury their deceased. It seemed so…finally. At least with a grave, you had a place where the person's body rested so you could have that peace at least.
"Mana…" Allen whimpered, clinging to his pillow.
That was right. He nearly forgot one of his wishes was to go visit Mana's grave. Sighing, Allen realized just now what he really wanted from that wish. To put his heart to rest. He'd already come to grips about the Noah, who was being surprisingly quiet lately, and was slowly coming to about Mana and his Master. Not that everything was making sense yet.
"Gah!" Allen shouted, shoving his face into his pillow, "I curse you, blasted free time!"
There was a gentle knocking at his door and Allen jumped up, praying that it was Link to free him from this blasted torturous room of nothing. Instead, he found Jeniya with tears covering her cheeks.
"Jeniya," Allen whispered, kneeling in front of her, "What's wrong?"
"…" she just stood there fidgeting until there was another loud crash of thunder, sending her shrieking into Allen's chest.
"A-are you afraid of storms, Jeniya?" Allen asked, gently picking the frightened little girl up.
She just nodded, clinging to him for dear life.
"Shh, it's alright," Allen gently smiled, sitting down on his bed with her, "It's gonna be alright."
Allen gently rocked the crying girl in his arms for a long time. All the while, he couldn't help but wonder where her brother was. It wasn't like them to be separated.
"Th-The rain's scary…" Jeniya whimpered.
"Huh? The rain? How is it scary?" Allen chuckled lightly.
"It's loud and sometimes when it rains it gets really dark and then thunders," Jeniya said.
"That's true but there's nothing to be afraid of, silly," Allen gently smiled, "It's not dangerous. Just loud."
Jeniya flinched and hid her face in Allen's chest as another flash of lightning streaked across their window.
"Shhh, it's okay," Allen soothed again, "I'm right here. Don't worry cause I'll protect you."
As the rain continued to pound on the glass, Allen pulled a blanker over the small girl as she cuddled up next to him. Still rocking her back and forth, the cursed teen tried to figure out something that would help calm her down.
"Hey, you wanna know why it rains?" Allen asked.
Jeniya just nodded.
"Well, depending on what you believe, the rain helps purify the earth, nourishing all the plants and flowing into the streams where fish and other live lives. We all need the rain for that reason," Allen explained, staring at the girl with a warm smile, "But there's another reason for why I think it rains."
"Wh-what is it?" Jeniya asked.
Allen took a deep breath. This was going to be hard for what he was about to say, he couldn't actually say he believed in. After all, what would an orphan know of it?
"I believe that when it rains, it's all of our loved ones in heaven's tears," Allen stated, staring at the window.
"Th-they're crying?" Jeniya blinked, "Why?"
"Because they're watching over us, silly," Allen beamed, "They're watching over us and crying tears of happiness because they see how we've grown up to be."
"B-But what if-"
"And if we didn't grow up the way they planned for us, they're probably still crying out of joy that we're still alive and with all the others we love. There may be a few tears of sadness mixed in when they see us do something bad or see us sad or afraid, but they're still happy," Allen said, a few tears in his eyes.
Jeniya remained silent for a second before looking up at the sky through the window.
"Mommy…Daddy…" she whispered, "I'm sorry that I was afraid of the rain. I didn't know that it was you looking down on me. I probably made you sad because I was afraid of your tears."
Allen felt the tiny girl crawl out of his arms and walked up to the window, a small smile on her lips, "But I'm not scared anymore. No, I'm just happy now. Because of Mr. Walker. He made me happy just like you did. He's like daddy…No, that's no right."
Allen's eyes widened when he heard the next words out of her mouth, "He is my daddy. That's why I'm happy. I have two daddies now. One watching over me from heaven and one that walks beside me here. I'll try hard not to be afraid anymore. I'll just be happy for you."
With that, the little girl crawled back into the bed and into Allen's limp arms. She didn't notice the tears that were rolling down his cheeks. She didn't notice the hand that covered his mouth, drowning out his whimpers. This tiny child just snuggled herself into his strong chest, melting his injured heart even further.
'I'm her daddy?' Allen thought to himself, 'When…I can't be…I mean, being a dad means being protective. Always trying to make her laugh. Making sure she's always happy. Worried about her constantly. Strict even though I want her to have everything she wants. That's everything I…I…I am…'
Allen wrapped his arms around the small child and help her close as a few more silent tears fell from his eyes.
"Mr. Walker?" Jeniya sounded.
"Y-Yes?" Allen stuttered.
"Well…Could I call you papa?" Jeniya asked, a little nervous, "I mean I've really wanted to for a while but…"
It took a second but slowly Allen smiled happily and nodded, "Yeah. Yeah you can."
"Yay," Jeniya chuckled before looking back at the window, "Have you ever been afraid of the rain, Papa?"
"Yeah, I was," Allen nodded, looking at the window, "I was terrified of it before I met Mana. Whenever it would rain, he would let me crawl into his bed and stay by his side until it had passed. After awhile, I learned that the rain wasn't anything to be afraid of and whenever it rained, I would smile and laugh and dance around in it like a big idiot. And Mana would just stand there and laugh until I dragged him in it with me."
"Mana sounds like a good man," Jeniya smiled, yawning a little.
Allen flinched and sighed, "Yeah. He was a good man…"
"P-Papa?" Jeniya questioned.
"Yes?" Allen answered.
"Earlier, you said that you would protect me," Jeniya stated, "Does that mean you'll always protect me?"
"Of course," Allen gently chuckled, "I'll always protect you."
"…Y-You mean forever?" Jeniya stuttered, remembering the horrid truth about her papa's remaining life.
Allen sighed and made the small girl look at him, "Yes but I may not always be right by your side. You may not even see me, but I'll protect you. When I die, I'll still be here to protect you. I need you to understand that. That if you need me, I'll always come rushing to you and help you out. You got that?"
Jeniya just nodded and wiped a few stray tears away. After a few minutes of silent, Allen shifted the two of them so that he was leaning against his headboard with a few pillows behind his back and Jeniya resting peacefully against his chest. It wasn't long before Allen shut his eyes, gently falling into the oblivion known as sleep. Jeniya, however, stayed awake. She slowly and carefully sat up and looked out the window to the sky.
'Mom, dad. I know that Papa doesn't have anyone that he knows of up there other than Mana but I don't think that Papa thinks of him as a dad anymore. I know there isn't anyone up there that's happy for him, so could you do me this favor?' Jeniya prayed, little hands clasped together, 'Could you be the ones that are crying in happiness for him? He's really a great man, even if he holds a darkness within him. I don't want him to be the only one of all of us to not have someone up there happy for him. And also, instead of just protecting Ryan and me, could you protect Papa too? He's always the one that's saves everyone, but who's the one that saves him?'
Jeniya looked at her sleeping papa's face and smiled. She slowly kissed the pentacle above his left eye before settling down to sleep.
"Night Papa…" Jeniya yawned before she too fell into sleep's welcoming embrace.
Mizu: Awww! Sappy chappie! Not really my style but I still like none the less. What did you guys think?
Lenalee: I was barely even in it… I thought this was AllenXLenalee
Mizu: It is but I haven't gotten that far.
Lavi: I'm curious what Komui's planning to do…
Mizu and Komui: *snickers evilly* Wouldn't you like to know?
Mizu: Ahem. Anyways, Reviews are still extremely welcomed and well enjoyed. Same goes for suggestions. Ciao for now!